The name Blachelay dates back to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name derives from the Anglo-Saxon Blęcleah which meant "dark wood" or "dark clearing". The hamlet of Blackley was mentioned in the Domesday Book and little growth of the community was seen until the 19th century. By the middle of the 17th century Blackley was a village of just 107 inhabitants. Today Blackley is a suburb of Manchester with a population of over 10,000 people. There is also a hamlet named Blackey in West Yorkshire.

Blachelay Early Origins

The surname Blachelay was first found in Lancashire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say before the Norman Conquest in 1066. Blakesley Hall is a Tudor hall on Blakesley Road in Yardley, Birmingham, England. Originally a timber-framed farmhouse, it was built in 1590.

Blachelay Spelling Variations

Blachelay Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Blachelay have been found, including Blackley, Blakely, Blakley, Blacklee, Blackely, Blackledge, Blacklege, Blatchly and many more.

Blachelay Early History

Blachelay Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Blachelay research. Another 225 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1321 and are included under the topic Early Blachelay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blachelay Early Notables (pre 1700)

Blachelay Early Notables (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Blachelay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Blachelay In Ireland

Blachelay In Ireland

Some of the Blachelay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Blachelay, or a variant listed above: Thomas Blackley who settled in Boston, Massachusetts in 1635; Samuel Blackley who settled in New Haven, Connecticut and married Hannah Porter in 1650. He also lived at Guildford. He had three sons and two daughters. David Blakely settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1767.

The Blachelay Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Blachelay Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.